Vial necking machines



March 20, 1956 R. H. KOENIG VIAL NECKING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1952 R015 Eli TH. KOENIG March 20, 1956 Filed Oct. 9, 1952 R. H. KOENIG 2,738,622

VIAL NECKING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 grwwvlxw )FaBEXTH. KOENYG March 20, 1956 R, H, KQENIG 2,738,622

VIAL NECKING MACHINES Filed Oct. 9, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 VIAL NECKING MACHINES liobert H. Koenig, Vineland, N. J., assignor to Owenslllinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application October 9, 1952, Serial No. 313,922

12 Claims. (Cl. 49-7) The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus for forming necks on glass tubes incident to the production of vials.

It is conventional practice in such an operation to convey lengths of glass tubing in succession through a neck forming zone and therein, through the use of internal plugs, or formers and suitable external shaping means, reshape the glass to give one end thereof the desired neck formation. Apparatus heretofore used however, has been such that the essential accurate alignment of the tubes and formers could not consistently be maintained. Consequently, the necks were not always coaxial with the bodies and as a result, filling and closing were made difli cult, if not impossible, of attainment. Such misalignment has been due to inability to maintain proper relative, positioning of the tube conveying means and the neck formers.

An object of my invention is the provision of novel means to overcome the above deficiency and to that end, contemplates the utilization of means by which the glass tubes are momentarily elevated from contact with the main conveying means and wholly independently supported by mechanism which positively and accurately positions-the tubes with respect to the'neck forming devices during the reshaping operation.

A further object is the provision of such mechanism which is readily adjustable to accommodate tubes of different diameter.

It is also an object to provide in such'apparatus, novel means for rotating the tubes about their individual axes both during a preheating and softening stage and while such'tubes are being reshaped, or necked.

Qther objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

'Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational'view with parts in section, of the neck forming unit illustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the means for elevating, supporting and rotating the tubes at the neck forming station and shows one of the internal neck forming elements;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation view taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 6'6 ofFig. 2; and I Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-'-7 of Fig. 6.

My apparatus in general comprises a horizontal conveyor' which supports glass tubes spaced apart in are- 2,738,622 ""Patented Mar; 20, 1956 conveyor and positively held in accurate alignment with the neck forming mechanism. Immediately upon completion of the neck forming operation, the tubes are again lowered to the previously occupied position on the main conveyor. The tubes may then proceed to other mechanism (not shown) for further treatment.

The conveying means which advances the tubes to the neck forming station N and then carries them away from the latter, is mounted upon a main supporting frame 15 and comprises a pair of parallel horizontal finger chains 16, trained over a pair of sprockets 17 with the upper reaches riding upon supporting rails 16*. These sprock-- ets are arranged in pairs at horizontal spaced points on the frame 15 and are mounted upon cross shafts 18, one

of which shafts is driven by a motor 19, operating through a chain 20 and sprocket 21. Through this mechanism the finger chains are moved continuously to advance the tubes, as stated heretofore. These tubes, as they approach the neck forming station N, are heated and softene'd at one end, by a series of gas burners 22 mounted upon a support 22 and during such preheating, are rotated about their axes to insure uniform heating.

Such rotation is efiected by means of one or more endless metal tapes 23 or bands, which are trained over a pair of pulleys 24 (one such pulley being at each end of the main frame 15-) and move counter to the direction of travel of the chains 16. One of these pulleys 24 is driven by a motor 25, operating through a chain 26 and a sprocket 26 at one end of the supporting shaft 27. The upper reach 28 of each tape, or band (Figs. 2 and 4) is positioned in proximity to a finger chain and moves in such a horizontal plane relative to the finger chain that it frictionally engages the tubes and in part supports them.

Additional supporting and steadying of the tubes is obtained by means of a rail 29 (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) which engages the tubes adjacent the end being heated. This rail 29 terminates slightly in advance of the neck forming station, at which other mechanismto be described, elevates and independently supports the tubes. A horizontally adjustable base rail 30 (Figs. 2 and 4) extends horizontally for engagement with the ends of the tubes spaced from the burners, whereby to properly position said tubes axially relative to the burners and the neck operate successively with a stationary external former 32 in reshaping the heat softened end of the tubes, while' atthe neck forming station N. These plugs 31 are mounted upon carriers 33 (Figs. 1, 2, 4, and 6) which are arranged in an annular series for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the main frame.

cumb'ent position with their axes transverse to the direction of travel of the conveyor.

During their advancing movement these tubes revolve about their axes while one end moves through a pre-" These plug carriers are supported upon a disk 34 which is adjustably mounted on a horizontal shaft 35, the latter being journaled in hearings on the main frame. This shaft, in addition to supporting the disk 34, carries the tube elevating mechanism, as will be described presently. Rotation of the disk 34, as well as the elevating mechanism, is obtained by means of the aforementioned motor 19and drive chain 20, the latter being trained over a sprocket 37 on the shaft 35. This same motor 19, as stated heretofore, also drives the finger, or lug chains. Thus movement of these chains, the forming plugs and the tube elevating means is synchronized, as will be apparent presently.

.Each ofthese plug carriers33 (Figs. 2, 4, 6-, and 7)" -be accurately. aligned with and enter tubes of different diameter. Each plug carrier comprises a slideway 38 and an a ttaching bracket 5-39,:or. flange, the latter extending radially inward along one face of the disk and being slotted to accommodate a pair of locking screws 40 which secure the carrier in Many desired radial position as determinediby thetdiameterof the tubes T. At-one side of each slide is a bracket 41 which carries-an adjustingscrew 42, manipulation of which permits radial movement of the carrier relative to, thesupporting disk 34. A cap plate 43closes the outerside of the slideway.

Within each slideway (Figs. 6 and 7) is a hollow slide 44, at one end of which is mounted a plug supporting head 45. This head .45 is so connected to the slide that it may-shift radially a limited degree to compensate for any otherwise slight misalignment with the axes of the tubes in the neck forming zone. Such connection comprises a flanged collar 46 and a flange 47 on the slide, together with an intermediate keyed disk 48. Arod 49 is connected at one end to the flanged collar 46 and extends into ,the'slide where-it .is attached to one end of a coil spring 50. This spring is anchored to a pin 51 and functions to -yieldingly hold the flanged collar 46, flange 47 and keyed disk 49 assembled. The clearance between the rod and surrounding wall limits the extent to which the internal forming plug 31 canshift radially.

The aforementioned slide 44 at its inner end, carries a cam roller 52 which engages a cam 53 as the corresponding plug is approaching its working position and then engages a second cam 54 as said plug leaves such position. The first named cam projects the plug into a tube and thesecond earn 54 functions to positively retract the plug in the event the coil spring 55 fails to do 'so by reason of breakage, etc. This spring 55 (Fig. 6) is connected to pins 56 on the slideway cover 43 and slide 44 and exerts a pressure tending to retract the plug. These cams 53 and 54 are suitablyv mounted upon the main frame.

The stationary external forming tool 32 (Figs. 1, 4, and 6) heretofore referred to, and which cooperates with the plugs 31 in the neck shaping operation, is mounted upon an arm 57. This arm is journaled upon a shaft 58 and at this point, is provided with a finger 59 which is connected to a spring 60. This spring yieldingly holds the tool 32 in its operative position. An adjustable stop 61 (Fig. 1) predetermines the uppermost position of the tool as required by the diameter of the tubes being necked.

As stated heretofore, the tubes T are elevated out of contact with the conveying means to a position for engagement with the neck formers. Such movement is obtained by mechanism comprising a pair of disks 62 (Figs. 3, 4, and 5) which are carried by collars 63 keyed and securable to the aforementioned horizontal shaft 35 which also carries the plug supporting disk 34. Thus, the three disks rotate together. One of these disks (Fig. 4) is adjustable relative to the other by means of fingers 63F of a movable yoke (not shown) to accommodate tubes of different lengths.

Each disk is formed at itsperiphery with a series of arcuate recesses 64 and between these recesses carries rollers, or small disks 65, which are freely mounted upon pins 66, the axes of which are parallel with the shaft axis. These recesses and rollers together, provide an annular series of seats 67 for the glass tubes T. These disks are of such diameter that they project a short distance above the plane of travel of the tube supporting reach of the main conveyor. Thus, asthe tubes enter the neck forming zone N, they move onto, the elevating disks, come to rest in the seats 67 and thereby are brought into register with the plugs 31, one at a time and into engagement with the external forming tool 32..

Relatively rapid rotation of the tubes T about their axes during the neck forming operation is essential. Such is obtained by means of an endless belt 68 which is trained over a pair of pulleys 69 and a tensioning pulley 70, all of which pulleys are mounted upon a frame 71. One

ofthese pulleys 69 is mounted on a shaft 72 which carries a sprocket 73. A motor 74 operating through a sprocket 75 and chain 76 drives the aforementioned sprocket 73 and thereby imparts movement to the tube rotating belt 68.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the glass tubes T, while advancing to the neck forming zone N, are rotated with one end projecting into a softening flame provided by the burners 22. Thus, they are prepared for the neck forming operation. As these tubes enter the zone N, they are picked up by the elevating disks 62 and thereby carried to a position in register-With the internal forming plugs 31 which are quicklyprojected into the previously softened end. Rotation of the tubes while in contact with the plugs and external forming tool, reshapes the softened end as determined by the contour of the plugs and tool. Such neck forming is obtained while the tubes continue their advancing movement. As they leave the forming zone N, they are again lowered onto the conveying means.

Modifications may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising means for conveying glass tubes in succession and in a recumbent position along a horizontal path to and away from a neck forming zone, neck forming means in said zone for reforming an end of each tube, means for elevating the tubes'relative to the conveying means and moving them alongan arcuate path formed on a center below the conveying means while in said zone, and then'r'eturning the tubes beyond said zone to their former positions relative to and upon the conveying means, and means 'for effecting operative engagement between the neck forming means and tubes while the latter are elevated.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the neck forming means comprises an endless series of internal forming plugs movable continuously in a closedpath about an axis below said conveying means, and an external former common to the internal forming plugs.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the neck forming means comprises an annular series of internal forming plugs mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, and a stationary external former common to said plugs.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said elevating means comprises a pair of coaxial disks rotating in horizontally spaced vertical planes and projecting a short distance above said conveying means and an annular series of freely rotating rollers mounted upon each disk with their axes parallel with that of said disk, the rollers projecting beyond the periphery of the corresponding disk and spaced apart to provide tube receiving seats uniformly spaced about the latter.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the neck forming means includes a series of internal plugs for projection into an end of the tubes and a stationary external forming tool common to said plugs and cooperating with the latter one at a time, to reform the tubes.

6. Apparatus for reshaping an end of glass tubes to form a neck thereon, comprising a horizontal conveyor for supporting the tubes in recumbent positions and carrying same through a preheating zone and to and away from a neck forming zone, heating means inthe .preheatingzone, neck forming means in the neck forming zone including a series of horizontal axially shiftable plugsmovable in a closed path, means for bringing said plugsinsuccessionto an operative position in a plane above the conveyor, means for axially moving the plugs to project same into an end of the tubes, an elevating device for lifting the tubes away from the conveyor and moving them along an arcuate path formed on a center below the conveyor to thereby bring said tubes into position to-receive the'plugs and later lowering them onto the conveyor, and an external forming tool common to said plugs.

7. In apparatus of the character described, means'for conveying glass tubes along a horizontal path in advance of and beyond a neck forming zone, the tubes being positioned with their axes substantially transverse to the direction of said path, means for moving the tubes in an arcuate path above and out of contact with said conveying means in the neck forming zone, a stationary, external forming tool in said arcuate path, a series of internal forming plugs movable in another closed path, at least a portion of which is concentric with said arcuate path, means for inserting the plugs into said tubes while they are moving along the arcuate path and means for preheating and softening an end of each tube prior to entry into the neck forming zone.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the means for moving the tubes along the areuate path comprises a pair of horizontally spaced disks positioned in proximity to said conveying means and mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis, said disks having portions projecting above the horizontal path of travel of the tubes and means at the periphery of said disks for supporting tubes in predetermined spaced positions thereon.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the means for moving the tubes along the arcuate path comprises disks rotatable in vertical planes about a common axis, and a series of rollers mounted upon and spaced apart on said disks to provide aligned tube receiving recesses at the periphery of each disk.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the plugs are mounted upon a rotary carrier, and cam means operates to project the plugs into the tubes as the latter travel along the arcuate path.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein the plugs are arranged in an annular series mounted for movement about a horizontal axis and at one side of said arcuate path, there being means for projecting the plugs into the tubes as the latter move along said arcnate path, whereby to cooperate with the external forming tool in reshaping a part of each tube.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a conveyor, an endless belt having an upper reach for engaging cylindrical glass articles with their axes extending transverse to the length of said belt, means for driving the belt so that its upper reach moves counter to the direction of travel of articles supported thereby and revolves them about their axes, said conveyor including a continuous series of fingers for advancing the articles to and from a neck forming zone, burners for preheating and softening an end of each article in advance of arrival at said zone, article elevating means in said Zone for removing the articles from engagement with the conveyor and fingers and then returning said articles to their former positions relative to the fingers, and means engaging both the interior and exterior of the softened portions to reshape same while out of contact with the belt and fingers, said article elevating means comprising at least one disk mounted for rotation in a vertical plane and a series of rollers so arranged upon the disk that together they provide circumferentially spaced seats to accommodate the articles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,040,902 Deakin et a1. Oct. 8, 1912 1,335,733 Hagemeyer Aug. 6, 1920 1,643,215 Koenig Sept. 20, 1927 2,203,573 Krause June 4, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 422,436 Great Britain Jan. 11, 1935 

